Hermod- Norse GodDeity"The Bold"

The Ride to Helheim

In the Hákonarmál, Hermóðr and Bragi greet the fallen King Hákon the Good in Valhalla, sent by Odin to welcome the slain ruler. But the Gylfaginning gives Hermóðr a longer story.

After Baldur's death and funeral, Frigg asked who among the Æsir would ride to Helheim and offer Hel a ransom for her son's return. Hermóðr alone volunteered. Odin lent him Sleipnir, and Hermóðr set out.

He rode nine nights through valleys so dark he could see nothing. He reached the river Gjöll, crossed by a bridge roofed in gleaming gold. The maiden Móðguðr guarded it. She told him five companies of dead men had crossed the day before and made less noise than he alone. He did not have the color of a dead man, she said, and asked why he rode Hel's road. He told her. She pointed the way.

Sleipnir leaped over the gates of Helheim. Inside, Hermóðr found Baldur seated in the place of honor in Hel's hall, pale but composed.

Hel's Condition

Hermóðr told Hel how all the gods grieved. She set a condition: if every thing in the world, living and dead, would weep for Baldur, she would release him. If any single thing refused, he stayed.

Baldur gave Hermóðr the ring Draupnir to carry back to Odin. Nanna sent a linen robe for Frigg. Hermóðr rode home with the terms.

Messengers went through the world. Stones wept. Trees wept. Every living creature wept. Then the messengers found a giantess named Þökk sitting in a cave. She said: "Þökk will weep dry tears for Baldur's funeral. Let Hel hold what she has." Baldur remained in Helheim.